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> "Because we know where income inequality leads?" - income inequality is not the real problem. The real problem is that lower end of the spectrum is too low a

by option 10y ago

> "Because we know where income inequality leads?" - income inequality is not the real problem. The real problem is that lower end of the spectrum is too low and has been stagnating for too long. Whether fixing the real problem will lead to lowering income inequality or not is irrelevant. For case studies on "take money from rich and give to poor" visit any of the post-communist countries (I am actually from one). > "We are currently on an unsustainable trajectory." - Why? Which trajectory is sustainable? > "The only question is if we want to handle this in a controlled way, or as a collapse, like last time 'round." - Lol, there is no question about that. The real question is how?

marcosdumay 10y ago
You don't solve it without some amount of "take money from the rich and give to the poor". It's just that the chosen amount being "everything" is a ridiculous idea. People seem unable to think about politics without turning into extremists.
groby_b 10y ago
That's what "income inequality" is a shortcut for. I apologize, I of course meant "the disturbing increase in income inequality". I didn't intend to advocate for absolute income equality :) Which trajectory is sustainable? One where housing prices don't significantly outperform income growth, where the price range allows people of all ends of the spectrum to find housing, and where the inventory isn't constrained as much by regulations that only serve the purpose of "ensuring property values". > Lol, there is no question about that. The real question is how? I'm curious - if there's no question about that, your "why would they want housing prices to go down" doesn't make sense. What do I miss? I want them to go down now & controlled because I'd like a controlled descent. It seems you agree on that :) "How" is a surprisingly tricky question that, among other things, depends on local economics. The solution for LA will look different than the solution for SF. (And SF is in a deep pickle. I'm glad the LA problems are not quite as bad yet) Affordable housing projects (and financing them) will play a key role. But they're far from the only part - we'll also need to talk about densification, fixing blighted neighborhoods, simplifying the permitting process. There will need to be changes to the rent control system, meaningful fixes to minimum wage, improved public transit, fixes to the nonsensical zoning system... And Prop 13 needs to die a fiery death. Many of these changes are going to be somewhat painful for existing homeowners, but the inevitable collapse if we don't address this will be more painful.

by option 10y ago

marcosdumay 10y ago

You don't solve it without some amount of "take money from the rich and give to the poor". It's just that the chosen amount being "everything" is a ridiculous idea. People seem unable to think about politics without turning into extremists.

groby_b 10y ago

That's what "income inequality" is a shortcut for. I apologize, I of course meant "the disturbing increase in income inequality". I didn't intend to advocate for absolute income equality :) Which trajectory is sustainable? One where housing prices don't significantly outperform income growth, where the price range allows people of all ends of the spectrum to find housing, and where the inventory isn't constrained as much by regulations that only serve the purpose of "ensuring property values". > Lol, there is no question about that. The real question is how? I'm curious - if there's no question about that, your "why would they want housing prices to go down" doesn't make sense. What do I miss? I want them to go down now & controlled because I'd like a controlled descent. It seems you agree on that :) "How" is a surprisingly tricky question that, among other things, depends on local economics. The solution for LA will look different than the solution for SF. (And SF is in a deep pickle. I'm glad the LA problems are not quite as bad yet) Affordable housing projects (and financing them) will play a key role. But they're far from the only part - we'll also need to talk about densification, fixing blighted neighborhoods, simplifying the permitting process. There will need to be changes to the rent control system, meaningful fixes to minimum wage, improved public transit, fixes to the nonsensical zoning system... And Prop 13 needs to die a fiery death. Many of these changes are going to be somewhat painful for existing homeowners, but the inevitable collapse if we don't address this will be more painful.